Below you will find several reviews of our debut album, "Let
It Roll". It was released under our original band name,
SWAY. Once the CD was released, and available on CD Baby,
Indie Rhythm, I-tunes etc. we started being informed of some confusions
which were occurring - - namely that there were at least two other
bands with the name SWAY. One was an alt-rock band and the other
was another country band. Our initial thought was to try and trademark
the name.
However, in researching the process we found out it would be
hard, if not impossible for us to be guaranteed of claiming the
name - - especially if the other bands with that name had been
established before us and could prove it - - which they easily
could. So, after some grumbling and mumbling about how stupid
we were not to have checked that out in advance we decided the
only option was to change our name, It's been a gradual process
which began in the fall of 2009. We've updated the web site to
reflect our new name and tried to make the transition as smooth
as possible without losing any of our fanbase in the confusion.
Obviously there are still a number of SWAY CDs still around, and
we'll be selling them as collector's items. Also, we received
a lot of good press as SWAY and, until we establish ourselves
completely as MARSHALLTOWN, we thought it best to leave
that available for the time being.
Sway - Let It Roll
2009, Sway
Southern California quietly has built a thriving country music
scene over the years. While not gaining the attention or reverence
of Nashville or Branson, Orange and L.A. counties are home to
a thriving country music community. Gina Quartaro and Perry Martin
were both pieces of the puzzle in SoCal, but it wasn't until they
were introduced by their Chiropractor just about a year ago that
they moved to the head of the pack. As 2/5 of Sway, Quartaro and
Martin have melded into a dynamic singing/songwriting/performing
force majeure that is bound to turn a spotlight on the scene as
a whole. Quartaro was raised on Hank Sr., and Martin cut his teeth
touring Vietnam with The Donny James Show and performing on television
for the Armed Forces Television Network. Together, they've found
a sort of musical alchemy that's almost fairy-tale quality. The
former Nashville Star contestant, Sway, released its debut album,
Let It Roll in 2009. Look out Nashville, here comes Sway.
I've been waiting for a while for a band and song to come along
that will ultimately prove what country radio is made of, and
I've finally found it. Cowgirl Scene, the opening track from Let
It Roll, should put Sway firmly on the Country music map. Suffice
it to say that on a major label with the right marketing push,
this is a #1 hit. It will be the shame of the industry if that
doesn't happen, because this might just be the best Country/Pop
offering of the last few years. It's a girl's night out song,
and so infectious you won't be able to get it out of your head.
Let It Roll comes from a more introspective place, reflecting
a positive outlook based in self-sufficiency. The song is very
tuneful and well-written; the sort of personal anthem that people
might take to in difficult times.
If I Knew is in the classic vein of tragic country songs; a musical
letter from a widow to her deceased husband about their daughter.
Quartaro gives a moving vocal performance, with Perry Martin answering
in almost ethereal tones. Get the tissues ready for this one.
Sway swings from this bit of personal darkness to In The Hands
Of Love, a highly optimistic song about the power of humanity
to rise above its own petty nature in response to one another's
needs. This is another song that should be getting serious airplay,
although its perhaps a bit too upbeat and positive thinking for
a cynical radio industry.
One of the things I enjoy most about Sway is their willingness
to break the mold, musically. Check out I'm Over You, a song with
distinct country coloring but which smacks of an almost Fleetwood
Mac pop sound. Quartaro is entirely in her element here in a mildly
driven pop/rock song in Americana clothing. This particular melody
will inspire you to sing along and will keep recurring in your
mind. Perry Martin takes over lead vocals on This World. Martin's
voice is distinctive, part Leonard Cohen and part crooner. This
World is a highly positive song that again hits the theme of people
overcoming their own base natures, and how that ability is a perennial
marker of hope. You'll also want to be certain to check out More
Than Enough and Love Takes Time.
Whether it's Quartaro's lead vocals, Martin's harmonies, the
songwriting, the energy or any other quality you care to name,
Sway is a first class Country/Pop outfit with significant commercial
potential. If the industry doesn't embrace this band and give
them the support they need then shame on the establishment. Sway
has found a dynamic blend of classic Country and Pop that is pop
gold. Let It Roll is a dynamic and wholly enjoyable debut.
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)
Sway – Let It Roll (CD)
Posted by James McQuiston on March 2nd, 2009
I don’t like a great deal of country music. Call me uncultured
or otherwise wrong, but I do not find much to appreciate in the
genre. However, a band named Sway has done wonders in their “Let
It Roll” to show me the inherent beauty of the style. “Let
It Roll” starts off with “Cowgirl Scene”, a track
that immediately shows the talent inherent in the effort of all
four members of the act. However solid “Cowgirl Scene”
is, the band ratchets things up considerably higher with “Let
It Roll”. While each of the different tracks can be taken
separately during “Let It Roll”, full enjoyment of the
disc only comes when listeners hunker down and listen to the album
as a whole.
“In the Hands of Love” is reminiscent of Mary Chapin
Carpenter, and particularly during her “The Bug” era.
However, far from being merely an act influenced by the greats,
Sway really flip the script when it comes to what individuals
expect from a country band. Nowhere is this more clearly shown
than during the disc’s middle point, “When Love Finds
Its Way”. “When Love” is one of those tracks that
will bounce around listeners’ heads endlessly; the blend
of instrumental and vocal components during the track create something
that is much, much more than its constituent parts. During both
“In the Hands of Love” and its follow-up, “I’m
Over You”, Sway easily crossover into a rock domain, calling
forth acts like Fleetwood Mac in the creation of some stellar
music.
“More Than Enough” continues
this crossover tradition, with guitar tracks eliciting a sunny
demeanor as the vocals come forth as a tie-together of the Dixie
Chicks and of Reba McEntire. The male vocals that are dominant
during “Left Unsaid” continue to spice up the album
and keep listeners focused in, while the instrumentation takes
that next bold step forward in creating the best possible music.
“Let It Roll” is evidence that country music can be
new and fresh, and that Sway is the act that is leading the charge.
Twenty-five years from now, “Let It Roll” will be seen
as an album that influenced an entire generation of musicians.
This bodes well for all of music.
Top Tracks: Left Unsaid, Let It Roll
-James McQuiston
Editor, NeuFutur (print magazine)
Editor, http://www.neufutur.com (e-magazine)
Rating: 8.9/10
SWAY hit Number 1 on the REVERBNATION
local Country Charts!!!!!
As of March 1, 2009 we
are at Number 1 on the Reverbnation Country Charts, Number 62
on the GLOBAL Charts and Number 57 on the NATIONAL Charts and
still climbing!!!! Stay tuned.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Orange Pop: Sway is moving steadily toward success
The recently formed alt-country quartet celebrates the release
of its debut, 'Let It Roll.'
By ROBERT KINSLER
Special to the Register
Although Sway was launched a mere eight months ago, the quartet's
masterful debut "Let It Roll" sounds as if it was honed
by a group of musicians who have been working together for years.
"We got started in early October," explained singer-guitarist
Gina Quartaro, who noted some of the songs on the 10-track disc
date back before the band was formed in late 2007.
Sway also features guitarist-vocalist Perry Martin, bassist-vocalist
Laurens Vernot and drummer Trevor Hands. The foursome will celebrate
the release of "Let It Roll" with a free show at The
Neighborhood Cup in Aliso Viejo on June 21.
"Perry and I had just met and we started collaborating.
We met Laurens at a songwriter's night (held at The Neighborhood
Cup) and he said, 'I need to be in your band.' "
Added Vernot: "They wanted me to have a red bass. I had
a red bass."
Vernot went on to explain while his own background as a longtime
proponent on the national power pop scene (his latest project,
Lava Province, performed at the International Pop Overthrow festival
in 2007) might seem at sonic odds with Sway's distinctive brew
of alt-country and Americana, joining the band was a natural fit.
"I heard the songs and said these are people I need to play
with. Pre-Sway, I wasn't thinking about country music. I just
thought this was great pop music that calls for a third (vocal)
harmony. They (Quartaro and Martin) are terrific songwriters and
terrific singers."
The group's lineup was completed earlier this year with the addition
of Hands, a Burbank resident who was born and raised on a farm
in Southwestern Kansas. The other three members of Sway all live
in Orange County.
"After less than a year, we have a strong following and
are playing a lot of places," Martin said. "It has snowballed
very quickly."
"Let It Roll" showcases Sway's countless strengths,
notably wonderful songs, solid arrangements and effortless musicianship,
as well as emotive lead vocals and pleasing harmonies.
"The sound is more roots than country," Quartaro said
of Sway. "I still do what I do (write songs that span a number
of genres), but we bring a bluegrass and rootsy feel to it."
Sway is part of a growing regional roots music movement, with
the group's sound embraced at coffee houses, country music clubs
and outdoor festivals. Upcoming performances include the far-flung
likes of Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth, Saddle Sore Saloon in Norco,
the Gypsy Den Café in Santa Ana, as well as at area shopping
centers such as Irvine Spectrum and Metro Pointe at South Coast.
"When people hear us, they feel like they're hearing something
they've heard on the radio," said Quartaro, who strives to
write songs that are accessible and compelling at first listen.
"We're often accused of 'I can't get that song out of my
head.'"
What comes out after spending a few minutes with Sway is while
the group loves to perform live, it is the deep connection the
musicians have with their songs and how they craft those with
the care of a loving parent to ensure each tune shines on its
own.
"It's a lot of fun," Martin said of Sway. "Partly
because it's so unexpected."
The Neighborhood Cup is at 1 Journey in Aliso Viejo. The group
Losers Like Us will open the free show with a performance at 7:30
p.m., with Sway scheduled to perform beginning at 8:15 p.m.
Information: www.swaymusic.com.
